European leaders set to hold emergency Ukraine summit in Paris as US-Europe ties strain

France is discussing holding an informal emergency Ukraine summit in Paris with European countries on Monday.

European leaders are set to convene in Paris for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine as the US moves forward with Russia peace talks without European involvement.

Though the summit has not been confirmed by French President Emmanuel Macron or spokespersons of the French president, European officials have hinted at the meeting likely going ahead.

Speaking on a panel at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the meeting will likely take place on Monday, adding that the last details will be finalised on Sunday.

European Union foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) to discuss the recent developments as concerns mount following various comments by US officials indicated Washington’s desire to exclude the continent from any peace proceedings.

The meeting comes as US Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, emphasised that Europe will not be included in the upcoming peace talks between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv.

Kellogg – who is due to visit Brussels on Monday – said however that Europe’s opinion will be considered in all peace considerations.
“I come from the school of realism, I think that’s not going to happen” said Kellogg as reporters directly asked about Europe’s role in a peace deal.

“To my European friends, I would say, enter the discussion not with complaints about whether or not you’re at the table, but by offering concrete proposals and ideas, particularly on defence spending,” added Kellogg.

On Saturday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the creation of a European Army – “The Armed Forces of Europe” – as distrust grows between Washington and Brussels.

“I really believe the time has come – the armed forces of Europe must be created” said Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference.